From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [181]
Which is why we are here and not on the balcony.
Yes. And you no longer have enough hair to grab hold of.
He ran a hand over his short hair and grinned.
Straight to Shamayim… Sparrow smirked. You think very highly of your kisses. You believe they hold such power?
At least that much. I am a cham bear, after all.
Little Cham, so Sir Shung calls you. But how would he know the power of your kisses?
Ha ha, my lady jester.
Sir Gavin Lukos.
Achan jumped so fast his chair scraped against the floor. He opened his mind to Sir Gavin. Lo, Sir Gavin. How do you fare with the Mârad?
Well, thank you, Your Highness. Sir Caleb tells me that Vrell Sparrow has made her way back to you.
She has. Achan met her eyes, and his stomach waged war within him. But as you well know she is really Lady Averella Amal. No need to deceive me any longer. She has confessed.
I am glad of that. Now that you know all, have you two reconciled?
Somewhat. Though Sir Caleb is careful not to leave us alone for even a moment.
I daresay he has his reasons.
Achan frowned. The men appear restless, Sir Gavin. Might we start this meeting?
I’m ready, if you will call it to order and be my voice.
One moment. Achan stood. “Could I have silence, please, as I offer this meeting to Arman for His guidance and glory?”
The men quieted, and Achan closed his eyes. “Arman, we come together to fulfill Your plans for Er’Rets. Thank You for bringing us this far. Guide us the rest of the way. Provide a plan to take Armonguard as peaceably as possible. So may it be as You decree.”
“So be it,” everyone said.
“Sir Gavin is watching through my eyes,” Achan said. “I will speak for him.” Achan raised a hand to command silence. Speak, Sir Gavin. What have you to say?
Captain Chantry’s ships are currently anchored off the coast of Arman Duchy. They will wait for my order to time their attack with ours. We will march south toward Armonguard. Depending on Esek’s army and how long it takes to defeat them, we will need to breach the fortress itself to open the gates so our men and Captain Chantry’s men can get inside. This is no easy task.
Achan repeated Sir Gavin’s words to the men.
“If we could get New Kingsguard cloaks, we could send a squadron down the Gadowl Wall,” Sir Jax said. “They could join the enemy army and find a way inside.”
“It leaves too much to chance,” Captain Demry said. “First and foremost, the uniforms. Do you have the resources to create uniforms quickly, Bodwin?”
Bodwin shook his head. “I’m having seamstresses in the village, but not the cloth. We are having plenty of red…”
“Could we dye the red fabric black?” Sir Rigil asked.
“Possibly. I would have to be asking my weavers.”
“Any other ideas?” Achan asked.
“What if we managed a dozen New Kingsguard uniforms, then took another dozen of our men down as if they were prisoners?” Sir Rigil said. “We get inside and—”
“Too risky,” Captain Demry said. “They may not allow us to escort the prisoners inside. We might end up surrendering our men.”
“May I speak?” Sparrow said.
Achan nodded to her. “Of course. For those of you who have not met her, this is Lady Averella Amal of Carmine.”
She addressed the men in a confident voice. “Our group made it to Noiz due to the direction of a man named Peripaso. He knows the tunnels underground better than anyone. Years ago he took a tunnel out of Armonguard. With his help we might enter the castle from underground.”
Bodwin laughed. “I’ve been serving Noiz as warden for thirteen years. Never have I been hearing of any tunnels.”
“Nor had I until I met Peripaso,” Jax said. “We would be wise to ask him, at least.”
I’ve heard of tunnels under the fortress, Sir Gavin said.
Achan repeated Sir Gavin’s claim, then said, “Send a man to fetch Peripaso, then.”
Bodwin groaned and folded his arms, but Manu darted out the door.
“Thank you for your suggestion, Lady Averella,” Achan said.
She bowed her head. Bodwin son of Inko seems to